Paige Bueckers to Make Team USA Debut in World Cup Qualifiers

The Dallas Wings guard will represent the United States in the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup qualifiers.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Paige Bueckers, the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Dallas Wings, is set to make her debut for the U.S. senior national team in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup qualifiers in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 11-17. Bueckers, along with other WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, will be competing for the stars and stripes for the first time.

Why it matters

Bueckers' selection to the U.S. national team at just 21 years old is a testament to her rapid rise in the WNBA and her status as one of the brightest young stars in women's basketball. Her debut will be closely watched as the U.S. looks to qualify for the 2024 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

The details

After a standout rookie season with the Dallas Wings, where she averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game, Bueckers will now don the red, white and blue uniform of the U.S. national team. She will be joined by fellow WNBA up-and-comers Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as they make their debuts for the senior national team.

  • The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup qualifiers will take place from March 11-17, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • Bueckers' first game for Team USA is scheduled for March 11 against Senegal, with tip-off at 4:45 pm ET.

The players

Paige Bueckers

The 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Dallas Wings, who is now set to make her debut for the U.S. senior national team.

Caitlin Clark

A rising WNBA star who will also be making her debut for the U.S. national team alongside Bueckers.

Angel Reese

Another WNBA up-and-comer who will be competing for the U.S. national team for the first time in the upcoming qualifiers.

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What they’re saying

“I think each stop in my journey has meant so much to me. It's been a huge part of who I am and what I have become. Every time I step on the court, I feel like I'm always representing something so much bigger than myself, and then to be able to put USA across your chest is really an honor.”

— Paige Bueckers (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

Bueckers and the U.S. national team will compete in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup qualifiers from March 11-17, with their first game against Senegal on March 11.

The takeaway

Paige Bueckers' selection to the U.S. national team at just 21 years old is a testament to her rapid rise in the WNBA and her status as one of the brightest young stars in women's basketball. Her debut, along with those of other rising WNBA talents, will be closely watched as the U.S. looks to qualify for the 2024 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.